Andreas Keiser  

Bern University of Applied Sciences

Professor Dr Andreas Keiser is a lecturer in crop production and plant breeding at Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH-HAFL), Switzerland. His research focuses on potato production, plant protection, breeding and disease management, including work on Pectobacterium and Dickeya, late blight and potato quality. He has been closely involved with EAPR’s Pathology and Pests Section, including serving on the organising committee for its 2019 meeting in Switzerland.

Charlotte Prodhomme  

INRAE

Dr Charlotte Prodhomme is a Research Scientist at INRAE, the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment, where she works on potato genetics and immunity. Her research focuses on root exudates affecting cyst nematode hatching, elicitation responses to late blight, and genetic resistance. She completed her PhD at Wageningen University on the identification of potato wart disease resistance genes. She is Chair of the EAPR Breeding & Varietal Assessment Section and played a leading role in organising the 2025 EAPR–EUCARPIA joint meeting in St Andrews.

Fadia Chairi  

Walloon Agricultural Research Centre (CRA-W)

Dr Fadia Chairi is a scientist at the Walloon Agricultural Research Centre (CRA-W) in Belgium, working in potato breeding, biodiversity and plant genetic resources. Her research includes potato responses to drought and other environmental stresses, agronomic and physiological traits, and the evaluation of potato genetic diversity. She is currently a Councillor on the EAPR Council, contributing to the Association’s governance and strategic development. Her work is particularly relevant to EAPR priorities around climate resilience, breeding and sustainable potato production.

MariCarmen Alamar Gavidia  

Cranfield University 

Dr MariCarmen Alamar Gavidia is Senior Lecturer in Postharvest Biology at Cranfield University, where her research focuses on potato dormancy, sprouting, storage, tuber quality and postharvest disease. She combines plant physiology, biochemistry and innovative technologies to develop practical approaches to reducing postharvest losses and improving potato quality. Her research involves close collaboration with industry and the wider potato supply chain. She is Co-chair of the EAPR Post Harvest Section, playing an active role in connecting researchers and industry and advancing research in potato postharvest science.

Dominika Boguszewska-Mańkowska 

IHAR-PIB 

Dr Dominika Boguszewska-Mańkowska is a researcher at the Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute (IHAR-PIB) in Poland, specialising in potato agronomy, physiology and responses to environmental stress, particularly drought and heat. Her research addresses varietal adaptation, crop performance and sustainable potato production. She is currently Chair of the EAPR Agronomy & Physiology Section, where she leads the organisation and coordination of research exchange covering potato production, management and physiology.

Roberto Miglino 

HZPC Research 

Dr Roberto Miglino is Senior Scientist and Project Leader for Plant Virology and Nematology at HZPC Research B.V. in the Netherlands. His research focuses on potato viruses and other emerging pathogens, including their detection, characterisation and management. He has extensive experience in applied potato virology and industry-focused research. Roberto is Chair of the EAPR Virology Section and organised the 18th EAPR Virology Section Meeting in Switzerland in 2025, which brought together researchers working on potato viruses, phytoplasmas, vectors and disease management.

Paul Struik

Wageningen University & Research

Professor Paul Struik is Emeritus Professor of Crop Physiology at Wageningen University & Research, The Netherlands, with an extensive international career in crop physiology, agronomy and plant production. His research focuses particularly on potato agronomy, seed systems, agrobiodiversity, tuber formation and crop responses to environmental conditions. He has contributed extensively to understanding seed potato quality and physiological ageing, as well as improving seed systems in developing countries. His expertise also includes modelling photosynthesis and resource-use efficiency at different levels of biological organisation. Paul is Editor-in-Chief of Potato Research, remains actively involved in international potato research and is an honorary member of the EAPR. 

Jean-Eric Chauvin

INRAE

Jean-Eric Chauvin is a research engineer at INRAE, with expertise in potato genetics, genetic resources and breeding. His research focuses on the genetic control of resistance to major potato pests and diseases, notably late blight and viruses, contributing to the development of more sustainable cultivars. His work encompasses the characterisation and utilisation of genetic diversity for potato improvement and innovative breeding strategies. He is involved in the European Association for Potato Research (EAPR), serving on its Council and contributing to the coordination of the European potato research community. Until recently, he served as the French representative within the ECPGR Potato Working Group.

Kürt  Demeulemeester

Kürt Demeulemeester is a Belgian agricultural researcher and team leader specialising in arable farming systems. He holds a degree in bioscience engineering with a focus on crop protection and agronomy. At Inagro, he coordinates applied research and innovation projects on crops such as potatoes, cereals, fodder crops, flax and protein crops, integrating sustainability and practical crop management. He has contributed to technical reports, scientific publications, and sector-oriented articles with a strong impact on advisory practices. His work supports farmers and policymakers by translating research into applicable strategies. He is a Vice-President on the EAPR Council, contributing to its governance and strategic development and was also involved in organising the 2014 EAPR Triennial Conference in Brussels.

Benjamin Stich

Julius Kühn Institute

Professor Dr Benjamin Stich is Professor of Plant Genetic Resources for Breeding at the University of Rostock and Head of the Institute for Breeding Research on Agricultural Crops at the Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI) in Groß Lüsewitz, Germany. His research focuses on quantitative genetics, plant genomics and advanced breeding methodologies, particularly genomic and predictive breeding. His potato research addresses the genetic basis of important agronomic traits and the application of genomic selection to improve breeding efficiency. He is currently a Councillor on the EAPR Council.

Pia Heltoft Thomsen

Nibio

Dr Pia Heltoft Thomsen is a Research Scientist at NIBIO in Norway, specialising in potato storage, postharvest physiology, quality and pathology. Her research addresses potato storage losses, sprouting, disease and the effects of storage conditions on tuber quality, with strong links to growers and industry. She is a Councillor on the EAPR Council, contributing to its governance and strategic development and was also involved in organising the 2024 EAPR Triennial Conference in Oslo.

Karima Bouchek Mechiche

Inov3pt

Dr Karima Bouchek Mechiche is a research scientist at inov3PT (agricultural research and technical institute for seed potato) and based at INRAE-IGEPP in Le Rheu (France). She is specialized in soil-borne plant pathogens responsible for potato tuber blemishes and storage diseases. Her research focuses on pathogen diagnosis and detection, disease epidemiology, and the development and evaluation of integrated disease management strategies. She leads and coordinates research projects in these areas. She organized the 2023 EAPR Pathology and Pests Section Conference in France and has been serving as Chair of the EAPR Pathology and Pests Section since July 2024.

Guus Heselmans

Meijer Potato

Guus Heselmans (1965) is Research Director at Meijer Potato, based in Rilland, the Netherlands. In this role, he leads and oversees research and breeding innovation within the company’s R&D programs, with a strong focus on potato breeding and applied research. He has extensive experience in developing and coordinating breeding strategies, managing a multidisciplinary R&D team, and guiding research initiatives from concept to implementation. His work bridges fundamental research and practical breeding, supporting the development of improved potato varieties for international markets. In addition to his role at Meijer Potato, Guus Heselmans serves as President Elect of the European Association for Potato Research (EAPR), where he is part of the association’s governing council and contributes to shaping the strategic direction of international potato research and collaboration in Europe and beyond. A small core team has kicked off the first preparations for the triennial EAPR conference in Rotterdam in 2030.